Wednesday, November 26, 2008

XV

Posted
on Wed, Nov 26, 2008 at 4:00 AM

The Katy, Texas, power trio’s aptly titled 15th album (including a few live releases) continues to mine the rich rock vein that has been the band’s trademark since their 1988 debut, Out of the Silent Planet. Bassist Dug Pinnick, guitarist Ty Tabor, and drummer Jerry Gaskill have never been able to break through to the big time, but their wicked chops and majestic three-part harmonies have earned them a diehard fan base, particularly among other musicians.

Pinnick has one of the greatest bass tones in rock, with a powerful and deeply soulful voice to match, while Tabor’s dazzling fretwork and Gaskill’s in-your-face drumming blow away most of what passes for “modern rock” these days. Tunes like “Pray,” “Alright,” and “Go Tell Somebody” will rumble your speakers, while Tabor’s vocals on the melancholy blues of “Repeating Myself” and “I Just Want to Live” deliver a softer yet still majestic sound. The band’s unrelenting longevity is testimony to their superb skills.